Industry leaders tackle sheep sector's biggest challenges at NSA Sheep Event

Sheep farmers, industry professionals and agricultural businesses gathered at the Three Counties Showground, Worcestershire, yesterday (Tuesday 28th July) as NSA Sheep Event 2026 delivered a packed programme of technical knowledge, policy debate and practical demonstrations, underlining the strength and resilience of the UK sheep industry.

From the moment the gates opened, the event's busy seminar area was filled with visitors eager to hear directly from Defra Farming Minister Stephen Morgan MP, who opened the day as part of the NSA Breakfast Club in conversation with NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker and NSA Chairman Pete Delbridge.

The wide-ranging discussion tackled many of the most pressing issues currently facing sheep farmers, including the increasing incidence of wildfires across the UK and concerns over the consequences of declining grazing livestock in upland areas. The panel also discussed the ongoing threat of bluetongue virus, what more could be done to protect stock through vaccination and the significant impact on pedigree and specialist breeders whose trade to the EU continues to be closed. The risks presented by a new SPS agreement and EU regulatory realignment were strongly debated with serious concern over potential limitations on journey times and the inclusion of time spent in livestock markets and collection centres as part of the journey. This topic opened up discussions over the structure of the UK meat processing sector and the wider challenges created by the loss of local abattoirs, with implications for both farm businesses, local and independent retail options, and animal welfare.

Food security featured strongly throughout the discussion, with speakers highlighting that, at a time when climate change is disrupting food production around the world, the UK's ability to produce high-quality food should be recognised as a national asset and afforded greater protection.

With regard to the Government's forthcoming negotiations on closer alignment with the European Union, speakers stressed that representative organisations such as NSA must be closely involved throughout discussions to ensure decisions affecting sheep farming are informed by a genuine understanding of the sector.

NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker says: "Sheep farming has a huge contribution to make to food production, environmental management, rural economies and our national resilience. Today's discussions demonstrated just how important it is that policy is shaped with the people who understand these farming systems best. NSA Sheep Event provided the perfect opportunity to bring farmers and policymakers together for those conversations."

Following the ministerial session, industry journalists and commentators Andrew Meredith, Editor of Farmers Weekly, Jane Thynne, Head of News at Farmers Guardian, independent agribusiness consultant Oliver McIntyre and DAERA representative George Moffatt continued the debate, exploring many of the themes raised to Mr Morgan MP earlier in the morning.

Discussion centred on the multifunctional role of upland sheep farms, the environmental benefits already being delivered by livestock farmers and the need to support the next generation if the industry is to continue providing food, environmental stewardship and thriving rural communities into the future.

Throughout the remainder of the day, visitors packed into further seminars covering the future of sheep farming from a range of perspectives.

The second seminar, Bridging farmer-consumer priorities for the future of agriculture, chaired by NSA English Committee member and North Yorkshire sheep farmer Rebecca Wilson, brought together Philippa Page, President of the Sheep Veterinary Society, Emma Jones, ADAS Ruminant Technical Specialist, and Prys Morgan, AHDB Beef and Lamb Sector Director.

The panel explored how the sheep industry can better understand evolving consumer expectations while ensuring farm businesses remain productive, profitable and sustainable for future generations.

One of the busiest seminars of the afternoon, Making the most of multifunctional sheep systems, attracted a large audience as North Devon sheep farmer Ian May and Norfolk sheep farmer Katie Evans joined Ed Horton of Savills and Tom Stratton of the Dartmoor Land Use Group.

The discussion highlighted the many benefits sheep farming delivers beyond food production, recognising wool as a sustainable natural fibre alongside the industry's vital contributions to biodiversity, landscape management, carbon outcomes and the stewardship of some of the UK's most iconic landscapes.

The seminar programme concluded with a forward-looking discussion on future market opportunities. AHDB Halal Sector Senior Manager Awal Fuseini, Louise Manning of LJM Associates and Russell Batten, Defra Head of Domestic and International Agri-tech Policy, debated whether long-term growth for the sheep sector will be driven primarily through expanding export opportunities or strengthening domestic demand.

Away from the seminar theatre, visitors enjoyed a full programme of workshops, demonstrations and technical attractions, ensuring learning opportunities were available across every corner of the event. Hundreds of trade stands, breed displays and practical demonstrations created a vibrant atmosphere throughout the day, with knowledge exchange at the heart of the event.

NSA Chairman Pete Delbridge says: "There was a real sense of optimism throughout the day. While we cannot ignore the challenges facing our industry, what stood out was the willingness of sheep farmers to share ideas, embrace innovation and work together. NSA Sheep Event continues to demonstrate the strength of our industry and the value of bringing people together to learn from one another."

Reflecting on another successful NSA Sheep Event, Phil Stocker concludes: "Every conversation throughout the day reinforced just how passionate and committed our sheep farmers are. Whether discussing policy, animal health, marketing or environmental delivery, there was a genuine determination to build a profitable, sustainable future for the industry. That's exactly what NSA Sheep Event is all about."